Gov. Tate Reeves is asking lawmakers when they convene for the 2026 regular session to provide $1 million for expanding child care access for workers across the state. 

The program, according to his annual Executive Budget Recommendation, would be a public-private “tri-share model” in which employers, employees and the state government share the cost of child care. 

Reeves, a Republican, said in the report that the child care program could lead to a reduction in absenteeism, increased work performance and the attraction of a larger talent pool. 

“It is a vital workforce-development strategy that will strengthen our state’s historic economic development efforts and help increase Mississippi’s workforce participation rate,” Reeves said. 

The governor also recommended that the Legislature expand “education freedom,” or school choice in Mississippi, though he didn’t recommend a specific policy or propose how much money lawmakers should spend. 

Education freedom is the moniker that Mississippi Republicans prefer to describe school-choice ideas. It refers to a myriad of policies that either disburse tax money to families to pay for education services, including private school tuition, or allow families to move their children to different schools, regardless of type or location. 

The issue has gained traction under the Trump administration. House Speaker Jason White and other state leaders have repeatedly indicated their support for expanding school choice, which is expected to headline the legislative session that starts in January. 

Reeves said legislators should expand charter schools in the state and give students greater flexibility to attend public schools, regardless of where they live. 

Current state law requires students to attend the school district in which they reside. The only way for them to transfer to another district is if their home school district and the receiving school district both agree to the switch. 

Both the governor and Joint Legislative Budget Committee are required to issue budget recommendations before lawmakers convene in regular session. But the full Legislature sets a budget and is not bound by either recommendation.

Other budget recommendations Reeves made include: 

• $20 million to fast-track construction of energy generation, transmission and pipeline infrastructure at sites designated by the Mississippi Development Authority.
• $100 million to create an Energy Infrastructure Bank to prevent supply chain disruptions.
• $20 million for new economic site development efforts.
• $50 million for debt management strategies to save money in the long term.
• $9 million to establish three 16-bed psychiatric emergency service locations for adults in crisis.
• $5 million to create a second adolescent crisis stabilization unit and a secure residential substance use disorder unit.
• $10 million to establish in-state facilities for children with extreme behavioral and mental health issues.
• $1.5 million to provide more vehicles for the Capitol Police Department to patrol the expanded Capitol Complex Improvement District.
• $15 million for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Disaster Trust Fund to prepare for severe weather events.
• $12.75 million to establish a uniform statewide youth court system with 25 full-time youth court chancellors and associated staff.
• $8 million to replace the outdated youth court case management system with a modern system for efficiency and transparency.